Healing Expressions

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-writing-workshop-for-workers-and-a-long-poem-about-taking-orders?mbid=social_facebook

Join me at Governor's Island on Saturday, September 9, 2017 for mini-workshops on writing, activism and more!!!
Sponsored by Workers' Writers' School. A collaboration with PEN America.

A Writing Workshop for Workers, and a Long Poem About Taking Orders “I like it here,” one member of the Worker Writers School said. “I can say my meanest things.”

"I am interested only in stretching myself, on living as fully as I can." -- Doris Lessing

Join us on Sunday February 28, 2016. 2:00pm-4:30pm. @ The Center for Remembering & Sharing, 123 Fourth Avenue New York, NY 10003 (near Union Sq.) Fee: $40 Register by email: [email protected]

Photo Collage – Photo Collage by Johanna Martinez Healing Expressions: Journaling Group February Theme: Self-Love

Happy Holidays to all around the world! Tonight is the night before Christmas, so for those of you who celebrate this special day, Merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. May you spend the day with those who bring you peace and comfort. Love without obligation.

Best wishes in the New Year 2016. Stay tuned for more regular postings about my events. Also this page will continue all things poetry, book suggestions, writing to inspire you to think and reflect on this point in your life.

Whether you do or don't write New Year's resolutions, personal growth is an ongoing process. Personal development never needs artificial dates like January 1st or waiting for your birthday to take action on make changes in your life. We are all in control of our lives much more than we believe and writing our intentions is one way to make a commitment to yourself.

Thanks for your support over the years! Please continue to share my page and contact me for more information.

It is my sincere wish that for those of you who acknowledge the Thanksgiving holiday that you spent it celebrating the spirit of the day. As we enter the holiday season, many of us turn our attention to noticing the gratitude that exists in our lives, as well as examining how much we have accomplished this year.

Here is a poem written by Pablo Neruda, one of the most well-recognized writers of the poetic form-- the ode. It is simple to write an ode or tribute to something or someone we like or find value in.

Prompt:
A.) Think about the title...where is your hope today,
November 27, 2015? Where will it be on December 31. 2015?
Write a response in your journal or write an ode to hope.

B.) Look at the last line of the poem "Everything will be fulfilled."
Do you agree with this? How is this true in your life? How is this not-so-true in your life?

You may respond in your journal or as a poem. Post it on this page please.

Ode to Hope

Oceanic dawn
at the center
of my life.
Waves like grapes,
the sky's solitude,
you fill me
and flood
the complete sea,
the undiminished sky,
tempo
and space,
seafoam's white
battalions,
the orange earth,
the sun's
fiery waist
in agony,
so many
gifts and talents,
birds soaring into their dreams,
and the sea, the sea,
suspended
aroma,
chorus of rich, resonant salt,
and meanwhile,
we men,
touch the water,
struggling and hoping,
we touch the sea
hoping.

And the waves tell the firm coast;
"Everything will be fulfilled"

Pablo Neruda

This is a Wonderful Poem by David Wagoner

Come at it carefully, don’t trust it, that isn’t its right name,
It’s wearing stolen rags, it’s never been washed, its breath
Would look moss-green if it were really breathing,
It won’t get out of the way, it stares at you
Out of eyes burnt gray as the sidewalk,
Its skin is overcast with colorless dirt,
It has no distinguishing marks, no I.D. cards,
It wants something of yours but hasn’t decided
Whether to ask for it or just take it,
There are no policemen, no friendly neighbors,
No peacekeeping busybodies to yell for, only this
Thing standing between you and the place you were headed,
You have about thirty seconds to get past it, around it,
Or simply to back away and try to forget it,
It won’t take no for an answer: try hitting it first
And you’ll learn what’s trembling in its torn pocket.
Now, what do you want to do about it?

Writing Prompt: Begin your own poem with the same title, "This is a Wonderful Poem" See? Doesn't it feel easy to write when you begin from a positive place?

Welcome to NATIONAL POETRY MONTH 2015!!! This is a celebration of the importance of poetry in our culture. Check out poets.org to learn more about events all around the country and in your city about how to celebrate! Check here for more poetry postings and terrific inspirational quotes to get you writing again!

Watch for more connection to Maya Angelou's great rhythm set to music and dance. My point is certainly not to highlight cultural appropriation, rather to educate younger generations about the roots of hip hop and talented poets like Maya Angelou. Please share!

This New Maya Angelou Video Is Required Viewing for Cultural Appropriators Everywhere Are you listening, Iggy Azalea?

Hey Everyone! Come over to Ossining! No yoga positions, but bring your notebook for another workshop!! Dragonfly Wellness Yoga Studio is hosting my Holiday Stress Reduction Workshop!

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FREE EVENT at the local library this weekend! Reconnect to the true meaning of the holidays by using writing to manage your stress. No experience necessary!

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Check out my next stop...a workshop at the Ossining Library (Westchester County, NY)!
Write Away your Holiday Stress: 5 Ways to a Peaceful Holiday Season Using your Journal

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Here's another little article on how to use a journal for improved sleep!

10-Minute Stress-Busters For Better Sleep That looming work deadline you're not close to meeting. Your crazy mother-in-law. The election. Stress. We all have it -- and aside from being uncomfortable during the waking hours, it could be keeping you up at night. In fact, a full 65 percent o...